237 ratings | 220 reviews | avg rating:3.52

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Laura Rittenhouse

Goodreads Author

Born

Richmond, Virginia, The United States

Website

http://www.laurarittenhouse.com

Genre

Literature & Fiction, Travel

Member Since

July 2009

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I'm an Aussie now. I left the US back in 1988 for an extended visit and have based myself in Australia ever since. IT was my career and in the end I found it profitable but unrewarding. So I've switched gears and now write as a passion, hobby and "job". It is the opposite of IT, not profitable in the slightest, but VERY rewarding.

I hope some of you manage to read one of my books, STARTING OVER or LIFE'S JOURNEYS, and especially that you like reading them even one-tenth as much as I liked writing then.

If all goes well, maybe you'll get a chance to read my next 2 or 3 books in the not-too-distant future as well.

...more

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Popular Answered Questions

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Laura Rittenhouse I go for a walk. I find a 30-45 minute brisk walk around the neighbourhood thinking about my characters - where they are, what they're doing, what wil…moreI go for a walk. I find a 30-45 minute brisk walk around the neighbourhood thinking about my characters - where they are, what they're doing, what will happen next - clears my head and I can sit down and write almost on autopilot.(less)

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I just stumbled across your comments . I live about two hours south of Richmond.My fiancee and I are considering a move to Australia after my daughter is done with college. Is it easy to become a citizen there? How has your writing fared there? Do you miss Richmond?

Laura Rittenhouse Wendell, I assume you mean Richmond, Virginia, which was where I was born. I assume you don't me Richmond, NSW Australia (outside of Sydney) which is,…moreWendell, I assume you mean Richmond, Virginia, which was where I was born. I assume you don't me Richmond, NSW Australia (outside of Sydney) which is, coincidentally, where I now live.

Becoming a citizen of Australia is possible which makes it easier than most countries. But we have rather selfish immigration criteria so it's not especially easy. We have a point system that allows people from anywhere to apply to become permanent citizens. After you've been a permanent citizen for 2 years it's almost guaranteed you'll be able to become a citizen (assuming you've broken no laws). It's the criteria that makes things difficult for many. Points are awarded for career (some are given bonus points), age (if you're over 45 you have no chance), level of education, language and probably a few others.

If you fail on points you can come as a temporary resident if you get company sponsorship.

Failing that, you can buy your way in. I'm not sure of the level now, but if you invest a certain amount of money in the country and employ a certain number of people, you can move here.

Like I said, the immigration policies are rather selfish in that they only allow young, employable people who will contribute to the economy and put no drain on the pretty good social system.

My writing struggles here - but it would in the US as well. Getting "discovered" as a new author is tough. Finding readership without the marketing and distribution arm of a major publisher is even tougher. Luckily I love writing and don't need to earn my crust from it.

I don't miss Richmond, VA because I left there when I was 5. I grew up in Seattle which I do sometimes miss. But it's hard to want to live anywhere else because Australia is really an amazing country - I love it.

Good luck with your dreams of moving Down Under, it's worth the effort.(less)

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Combine Editions
Laura Rittenhouse’s books

Average rating: 4.31 · 39 ratings · 17 reviews · 10 distinct works

	Starting Over really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 18 ratings — published 2009 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Another Left Shoe by Betsy A. Riley (Editor), Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author), Dan Marvin 4.67 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Life's Journeys 4.75 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2014 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Aspiring Writers Short Story Winners by Wendy S. Swore (Goodreads Author), Charlotte Mielziner, Ronda Payne it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2011	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Confessions of an Aging Adulterer 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Aspiring Writers 2012 Winners Anthology by Timothy Hurley (Goodreads Author), Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Strange Circle Magazine - Issue 3 by Andrew Dowle, John Sellars (Editor), Bryony Green (Editor) 3.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2011	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Aspiring Writers 2012 Winners Anthology by Betsy A. Riley, Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2013	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Best of Empirical 2012: Fiction and Poetry by Cool Waters Press, Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author) (Contributor) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2012 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Laura's Shorts 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2016	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Laura Rittenhouse…

Laura is Currently Reading

Laura Rittenhouse is currently reading

Laura's Shorts

by Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading, anthology

read in January, 2016

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Feb 09, 2017 03:23PM

Laura Rittenhouse is currently reading

Confessions of an Aging Adulterer

by Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: mainstream-fiction, currently-reading

read in January, 2016

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Jan 13, 2016 05:04PM

Laura Rittenhouse is currently reading

Life's Journeys

by Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: chick-lit, currently-reading

read in August, 2014

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Laura Rittenhouse said: " This is my book so you might expect me to say I loved it - which I did. It was fun to write but also fun to read. It's light hearted because the protagonist has a way of viewing her numerous obstacles with a twinkle in her eye as she pushes through. ...more "

Feb 09, 2017 03:28PM · see review

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Don't "Genre" Me!: Starting Over	7	11	Feb 24, 2010 09:25PM
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